Methods and systems for providing a safety apparatus to distressed persons

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present invention comprise systems for providing a lifesaving apparatus to a distressed individual. Such systems may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to selectably support a lifesaving apparatus. The UAV may comprise a release mechanism configured to release the lifesaving apparatus when proximate a distressed person. The system may additionally comprise a control device configured to wirelessly communicate with the UAV such that a user can pilot the UAV from a distance and deliver the lifesaving apparatus to a distressed person. Methods of using the same may comprise piloting the UAV proximate a distressed person, providing a signal to the UAV to release the lifesaving apparatus by operating the release mechanism, and then pulling the lifesaving apparatus and the distressed person to safety via a control line secured to the lifesaving apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/071,880, entitled “Best Buoy” filed Oct. 6, 2014, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Rescue personnel are often required to provide rescue services toretrieve distressed persons from water based hazards. Life guards,fishing vessel personnel, public safety officials (e.g., police officersand fire department personnel), and others must act quickly to rescuedistressed persons before they succumb to exhaustion, hypothermia, orother risks associated with water survival. These risks may be amplifiedfurther if the distressed individual is unable to swim or tires easily,and thus rescue personnel may risk their own safety in order to rescuethose at risk of harm.

Certain environmental conditions may further impede rescue efforts, suchas heavy seas, frigid water temperatures, fast moving currents, andother environmental risks. These environmental hazards may increase therisk of harm to both the rescuer and the person in distress. Moreover,in many circumstances a person may be at risk of drowning whileprofessional safety officers are not available to rescue the person indistress. For example, passenger airplane water landings may expose manyindividuals to a risk of drowning, particularly when the airplane landsin a low-temperature body of water. In many cases these airplanes landin bodies of water far removed from highly populated areas, andconsequently ground-based rescue personnel may not arrive at the sceneof the crash for an extended period of time after the aircraft entersthe body of water. Thus, untrained and potentially injured passengers orcrew members may seek to provide aid to others involved in the crash,and thus these individuals may reenter an area of danger after reachingsafety.

Accordingly, new methods and systems for providing lifesaving equipmentto persons in distress are needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments are directed to systems for providing lifesavingequipment, such as a float, to a person in distress. The system maycomprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in wireless communication witha control device, such as a handheld device. The UAV may comprise anequipment engagement mechanism, such as an electronically actuatedlatch, configured to releasably secure the lifesaving equipment to theUAV; wherein the equipment engagement mechanism is operable between aclosed configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is secured to theUAV and an open configuration in which the lifesaving equipment isreleased from the UAV. In various embodiments, the control device may beconfigured to generate one or more directional signals in response touser input indicating a desired direction for the UAV, wherein thedirectional signals are indicative of a desired direction of travel forthe UAV; generate a release signal in response to user input indicatinga request to release the lifesaving equipment from the UAV; and transmitthe one or more directional signals and the release signal to the UAV.In response to receipt of the directional signals, the UAV may beconfigured to move in the desired direction of travel and, in responseto receipt of the release signal, move the equipment engagementmechanism into the open configuration to release the lifesavingequipment.

In various embodiments, the lifesaving equipment may be secured to acontrol line configured to pull the lifesaving equipment in a directionof safety. The control line may be secured to a take-up reel configuredto rotate and thereby pull the control line in the direction of safety.The take-up reel may be a part of a collapsible line control devicecomprising an elongated line guide configured for directing a length ofthe control line away from the take-up reel.

In various embodiments, the UAV additionally comprises a cameraconfigured to generate video data; and the UAV is configured to transmitthe video data to the control device for display to a user via agraphical display on the control device.

Various embodiments are directed to a method for providing lifesavingequipment to a person in distress. The method comprising steps forpiloting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the person in distress bycausing data indicative of a desired direction of travel to bewirelessly transmitted from a control device to the UAV, wherein the UAVcomprises an equipment engagement mechanism configured to releasablysecure the lifesaving equipment to the UAV and the equipment engagementmechanism is operable between a closed configuration in which thelifesaving equipment is secured to the UAV and an open configuration inwhich the lifesaving equipment is released from the UAV; causingtransmission, from the control device to the UAV, of a release signalindicating the lifesaving equipment should be released, such that theUAV moves the equipment engagement mechanism into the open configurationto release the lifesaving equipment; and after the lifesaving device isreleased from the UAV, causing a length of control line secured to thelifesaving device to be recalled in a direction of safety, therebypulling the lifesaving device in a direction of safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system to be used to providelifesaving equipment to a distressed individual according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system to be used to providelifesaving equipment to a distress individual after the lifesavingequipment has been released according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a UAV on-board controller according tovarious embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Overview

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods andsystems for providing lifesaving equipment to a distressed individual.For example, the system may include an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)having an engagement mechanism configured to detachably secure afloatation device to be provided to a distressed individual in need of awater rescue. Thus, a rescuer may pilot the UAV via a control device toa location within close proximity of the distressed individual, and thenoperate the engagement feature via the control device to release thefloatation device and thereby provide it to the distressed individual.In various embodiments, the floatation device (e.g., a life preserver)may be connected to a control line such that the rescuer can pull thelife preserver to a safe location once the distressed individual graspsthe life preserver. Accordingly, the rescuer is able to pull thedistressed individual to safety using the control line. Moreover, invarious embodiments the control line may be operably secured to a linecontrol device. The line control device may include a take-up reel forstoring unneeded excess control line. In various embodiments, the linecontrol device may be integrated into the control device to facilitateoperation of both devices by a single operator.

In various embodiments, the UAV, float, line control device, and controldevice are configured to be stored within a single storage container.The float may be stored such that it is secured to the UAV duringstorage so as to facilitate rapid deployment of the system upondiscovering a person in distress.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

In various embodiments, a UAV as described herein may be a poweredaircraft configured to be controlled by a user operating a controldevice in wireless communication with the UAV. As shown in FIG. 1, whichis a schematic diagram of a system according to various embodiments, aUAV 100 may comprise a body 101 and one or more lift mechanisms, such asone or more rotors 102 controlled by one or more drive mechanisms 102 a(e.g., electric motors, gas engines, and/or the like), as illustrated inFIG. 1. As a non-limiting example, the UAV 100 may comprise four rotors102 configured to rotate and thereby provide lift to the UAV 100.Although not shown, the UAV 100 may additionally comprise one or morerotor guards configured to impede objects from being introduced into thearea of operation of the rotors 100. Referring again to FIG. 1, the UAV100 may additionally comprise one or more supports 103 configured tosupport the UAV 100 when not in flight. As a non-limiting example, theone or more supports 103 may comprise solid rods extending away from abottom surface of the body 101 of the UAV 100. As a non-limitingexample, the rods may comprise metal (e.g., aluminum or steel), plastic,and/or composite (e.g., carbon fiber) materials, and may have an atleast substantially round cross-section. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thesupports 103 may be in the shape of a closed loop having a bottomsection extending between two or more substantially vertical portions.Moreover, in various embodiments the UAV 100 may comprise two or moresupports 103 extending away from the body 101.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the UAV 100 may comprise anequipment engagement mechanism 120 configured to interact with acorresponding feature of a safety device (e.g., a float). For example,as will be described in greater detail herein, the equipment engagementmechanism 120 may be configured to interact with a mating engagementfeature 210 disposed on a float 200, and to thereby detachably securethe float to the UAV 100. Although the equipment engagement mechanism120 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being secured to the one or moresupports 103, it should be understood that the equipment engagementmechanism 120 may be secured in any of a variety of locations. Asadditional non-limiting examples, the equipment engagement mechanism 120may be secured directly to or integrated within the body 101 (e.g., onthe bottom surface of the body). Moreover, although the equipmentengagement mechanism 120 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as supporting thefloat in a horizontal configuration, it should be understood that theequipment engagement mechanism 120 may support a float in any of avariety of configurations (e.g., vertical).

In various embodiments, the equipment engagement mechanism 120 maycomprise a latch that may be operated remotely via the control device400. As a non-limiting example, the equipment engagement mechanism 120may comprise an electronically-actuated solenoid and/or anelectronically-controlled servo-motor configured to move between aclosed configuration and an open configuration such that the float maybe selectively supported and released by the equipment engagementmechanism 120. As will be described in greater detail herein, theequipment engagement mechanism 120 may be in electronic communicationwith an on-board controller (not shown) of the UAV 100. The equipmentengagement mechanism 120 may be configured to receive a control signalfrom the on-board controller, and thereby move between the openconfiguration and the closed configuration in response to receipt of thecontrol signal.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the UAV 100 may additionallycomprise one or more additional accessories 150. For example, suchaccessories may comprise a video camera, a still camera, one or morelight sources (e.g., Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)), laser sights, and/orthe like. Such accessories may thereby aid a user of the UAV 100 indirecting the UAV such that the lifesaving equipment may be provided inclose proximity to the distressed individual. In various embodiments,each of the one or more accessories 150 may be in electroniccommunication with the on-board controller, such that data and/orsignals may be transmitted between the on-board controller and the oneor more accessories 150. For example, in embodiments in which theaccessory is embodied as a video camera, video data generated by thevideo camera may be transmitted to the on-board computer and to thecontrol device 400 such that the user can review the video data. Instill other embodiments, any of a variety of additional or alternativeaccessories 150 may be provided, as may be desirable, provided such aregenerally configured to or useful for facilitating a rescue effort.

As previously indicated, the UAV 100 may additionally comprise anon-board controller 110 in electronic communication with variouscomponents of the UAV 100. A schematic of an example on-board controller110 is shown in FIG. 3. In various embodiments, the on-board controller110 may include an antenna 111, a transmitter 112 (e.g., radio), areceiver 113 (e.g., radio), and a processing element 114 that providessignals to and receives signals from the transmitter 112 and receiver113, respectively.

The signals provided to and received from the transmitter 112 and thereceiver 113, respectively, may include signaling data in accordancewith an air interface standard of applicable wireless systems tocommunicate with the control device 400. In this regard, the on-boardcontroller 110 may be capable of operating with one or more airinterface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, andaccess types. More particularly, the on-board controller 110 may operatein accordance with any of a number of wireless communication standardsand protocols. In a particular embodiment, the on-board controller 110may operate in accordance with multiple wireless communication standardsand protocols, such as GPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA,LTE, E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR protocols,Bluetooth protocols, USB protocols, and/or any other wireless protocol.

According to one embodiment, the on-board controller 110 may include alocation determining device and/or functionality. For example, theon-board controller 110 may include a GPS module adapted to acquire, forexample, latitude, longitude, altitude, geocode, course, and/or speeddata. In one embodiment, the GPS module acquires data, sometimes knownas ephemeris data, by identifying the number of satellites in view andthe relative positions of those satellites.

The on-board controller 110 may also include volatile storage or memory115 and/or non-volatile storage or memory 116, which can be embeddedand/or may be removable. For example, the non-volatile memory may beread-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., Serial,NAND, NOR, and/or the like), multimedia memory cards (MMC), securedigital (SD) memory cards, SmartMedia cards, CompactFlash (CF) cards,Memory Sticks, conductive-bridging random access memory (CBRAM),phase-change random access memory (PRAM), ferroelectric random-accessmemory (FeRAM), non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM),magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), resistive random-accessmemory (RRAM), Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon memory (SONOS),racetrack memory, and/or the like. The volatile memory may be randomaccess memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static randomaccess memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random access memory (FPMDRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory (EDO DRAM),synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data ratesynchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double data ratetype two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM), doubledata rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR3SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), Twin Transistor RAM(TTRAM), Thyristor RAM (T-RAM), Zero-capacitor (Z-RAM), Rambus in-linememory module (RIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM), single in-linememory module (SIMM), video random access memory VRAM, cache memory(including various levels), flash memory, register memory, and/or thelike. The volatile and non-volatile storage or memory can store data,applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, objectcode, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code,executable instructions, and/or the like to implement the functions ofthe on-board controller 110.

Moreover, as indicated in FIG. 3, the on-board controller 110 may be inelectronic communication with the lift mechanism (e.g., rotors 102)and/or one or more steering mechanisms (e.g., rotor tilt systems,rudder, elevators, flaps, stabilizers, and/or the like). In this regard,the on-board controller 110 may be configured to send one or moresteering signals to one or more of the lift mechanisms and/or steeringmechanisms in order to direct the UAV 100 in a desired direction. Invarious embodiments, the on-board controller 110 may be configured toprovide steering signals to the one or more lift mechanisms and/orsteering mechanisms in response to receipt of a corresponding signalfrom the control device 400. As will be described in greater detailherein, the signal received from the control device 400 may be generatedin response to a user input received by the control device 400. As willbe described in greater detail below, the on-board controller 110 may beconfigured to send corresponding steering signals to the one or morelift mechanisms and/or steering mechanisms such that the UAV 400 iscaused to hover in one place when no steering user input is received.

As previously indicated, the on-board controller 110 may be inelectronic communication with the equipment engagement mechanism 120and/or one or more accessories 150. In various embodiments, the on-boardcontroller 110 may communicate with the equipment engagement mechanism120 and/or the one or more accessories 150 via wired and/or wirelesscommunication protocols. For example, the on-board controller 110 may beconfigured to send a signal via a wired communication protocol to theequipment engagement mechanism 120 to move an associated solenoid intothe open position to drop the lifesaving device (e.g., a float). Invarious embodiments, the on-board controller 110 may be configured toreceive a signal from the control device 400, and send a correspondingsignal to the equipment engagement mechanism 120 indicating that theequipment engagement feature should be moved to the open configuration.As will be described in greater detail herein, the signal received fromthe control device 400 may be generated in response to a user input tothe control device 400 indicating that the equipment engagementmechanism 120 should be moved between the closed configuration and theopen configuration.

As yet another non-limiting example, the on-board controller 110 may beconfigured to transmit a signal to an accessory 150, such as a lightsource and/or a laser sight to activate and/or deactivate the same.Moreover, in various embodiments the on-board controller 110 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive one or more signals from otherwireless communication devices via one or more wireless communicationprotocols. As a non-limiting example, the on-board controller 110 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive one or more signals from acellular telephone or other handheld mobile device. Accordingly, theon-board controller 110 may be configured to receive directional signalsfrom a mobile device, and/or may transmit one or more alerts to varioushandheld mobile devices. For example, upon the occurrence of a triggerevent (such as the activation of the UAV 100, the activation of anaccessory 150, the release of a safety device (e.g., float 200), and/orthe like), the on-board controller 110 may be configured to transmit analert to emergency personnel informing the emergency personnel of theoccurrence of the trigger event. In various embodiments, the transmittedalert may additionally comprise information regarding the location ofthe UAV 100. As yet another non-limiting example, the on-boardcontroller 110 may be configured to transmit signals received from anaccessory (e.g., video signals received from an on-board camera) to oneor more mobile devices. In various embodiments, the on-board controller110 may be configured to transmit and/or receive signals from aplurality of wireless devices simultaneously and/or consecutively.Accordingly, the on-board controller 110 may be configured to transmitand/or receive signals from a plurality of sources.

Float

Referring again to FIG. 1, the UAV 100 may be configured to support afloat 200 and provide the float to a distressed person. In variousembodiments, the float 200 may be embodied as a floating ring comprisinga circular, buoyant float body 201 with a concentric hole extendingtherethrough. As additional non-limiting examples, the float body 201may comprise a buoyant lifeguard rescue can, a buoyant lifeguard rescuetube, and/or the like. In various embodiments the float body 201 maycomprise a foam material. As an additional non-limiting example, thefloat body 201 may comprise an inflatable float body configured to befilled with air or another gas. Moreover, in various embodiments, thefloat 200 may comprise a grip feature, such as a rope 202 extendingaround the perimeter of the float 200.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the float may additionally compriseone or more mating engagement features 210 such as one or more rings,configured to interact with the equipment engagement mechanism 120 ofthe UAV 100. For example, the one or more mating engagement features 210may comprise one or more rings (e.g., metal, plastic, or compositerings), loops (e.g., rope loops fabric loops, and/or the like),engagement members (e.g., horizontal bars integrated into the surface ofthe float 200), and/or the like. As described herein, the one or moremating engagement features 210 are configured to interact with theequipment engagement mechanism 120 such that the float 200 may beselectively released from the UAV 100 by moving the equipment engagementmechanism 120 into the open configuration.

In various embodiments, the float 200 may not comprise the one or moremating engagement features 210, and instead the equipment engagementmechanism 120 may be configured to engage one or more components of thefloat 200. As non-limiting examples, the equipment engagement mechanism120 may be configured to grasp the float body 201 and/or the gripfeature (e.g., rope 202).

Referring again to FIG. 1, the float 200 may additionally comprise aline engagement feature 220 configured to secure the float 200 to acontrol line 350. For example, the line engagement features 220 maycomprise a ring (e.g., a metal ring, a plastic ring, and/or a compositering), a loop (e.g., a rope loop and/or a fabric loop), an engagementbar (e.g., a horizontal bar integrated into the surface of the float200), and/or the like. However, in various embodiments the float may notcomprise the one or more line engagement features 220. As non-limitingexamples, the float 200 may be secured to the control line 350 bysecuring the line directly to the float body 201 (e.g., by tying theline around a portion of the float body).

Line Control Device

Referring again to FIG. 1, various embodiments comprise a line controldevice 300 secured to the float 200 via a control line 350. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the line control device 300 may comprise a lineguide 301 and a handle 302. In various embodiments, the line guide 301may comprise an elongated rigid or semi-rigid rod. In variousembodiments, the line guide 301 may comprise one or more guide rings(not shown) configured to guide the control line 350 from a bottomportion of the line guide 301 to a top portion of the line guide 301.The control line 350 may be loosely threaded through each of thesecontrol rings such that the control line 350 may slide relative to thecontrol rings. In various embodiments, the handle 302 may be disposedadjacent the bottom portion of the line guide 301. Accordingly, byguiding the control line 350 to a top portion of the line guide 301before extending away to the float 200, the line guide 301 providesadditional control to the user of the line control device 300 whilerecalling a length of the control line 350. For example, the user of theline control device 300 may utilize the additional length of the lineguide 301 in guiding a length of control line 350 over or under anobstacle (e.g., a tree limb) positioned between the user and the float200.

In various embodiments, the line control device 350 may be collapsibleand/or extendable. As a non-limiting example, the line guide 350 maycomprise a plurality of nested (e.g., concentric) frustoconical segmentsconfigured to slide relative to one another between an extendedconfiguration in which each of the segments are engaged with one anotherto form an elongated line guide 301, and a collapsed configuration inwhich at least one of a top edge and/or a bottom edge of each of theplurality of segments are substantially aligned, respectively. Forexample, in the collapsed configuration, each of the plurality ofsegments of the line guide 301 may be located within the handle 302.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the line control device 300 mayadditionally comprise a take-up reel 310 and associated handle 311configured to provide storage for the unused portion of control line350. For example, the take-up reel 310 may be configured to support anycontrol line 350 beyond the amount necessary to extend a section of thecontrol line 350 between the user of the line control device 300 and thelocation of the float 200 (e.g., attached to the UAV 100 or proximate adistressed individual). Moreover, the take-up reel 310 may be configuredto recall a length of control line 350 by rotating the take-up reel 310to pull the control line 350 toward the take-up reel and wind a lengthof the control line 350 onto the take-up reel 310. In variousembodiments, the take-up reel 310 may be rotated by the handle 311.Accordingly, by rotating the take-up reel 310 so as to recall a lengthof control line 350 to be wound onto the take-up reel, the float 200 maybe pulled toward the line control device 300 being controlled by a user.Thus, a distressed individual grasping the float 200 may be pulled tosafety when a length of the control line 350 is recalled.

In various embodiments, the control line 350 may be configured towithstand the force of a distressed individual being pulled throughwater. Thus, the control line 350 may be configured to withstand strainson the control line caused by drag forces associated with pulling thefloat 200 and a distressed individual through water. Moreover, thecontrol line 350 may be configured to withstand high impulse forces thatmay be imparted on the control line 350 by tides, currents, tree limbs,grasses, rocks, and other natural and man-made environmental conditionsand/or features that may interact with the control line 350, the float200, and/or a distressed individual while the components are beingpulled toward the line control device 300. In various embodiments, thecontrol line 350 may comprise rope, string, fishing line, and/or thelike.

Although the illustrated embodiment comprises a line control device 300,various embodiments comprise a control line 350 unconnected to a linecontrol device 300. Accordingly, in such embodiments, a user may recalla length of the control line 350 by pulling the control line 350 towardthe user.

Control Device

As illustrated in FIG. 1, various embodiments comprise a control device400 in wireless communication with the UAV 100 (e.g., the on-boardcontroller 110). In various embodiments, various features of the controldevice 400 are similar to those described in reference to the on-boardcontroller 110 of the UAV 100. For example, the control device 400 mayinclude an antenna 402, a transmitter (e.g., radio), a receiver (e.g.,radio), and a processing element that provides signals to and receivessignals from the transmitter and receiver, respectively.

The signals provided to and received from the transmitter and thereceiver, respectively, may include signaling data in accordance with anair interface standard of applicable wireless systems to communicatewith the UAV 110. In this regard, the control device 400 may be capableof operating with one or more air interface standards, communicationprotocols, modulation types, and access types. More particularly, thecontrol device 400 may operate in accordance with any of a number ofwireless communication standards and protocols. In a particularembodiment, the control device 400 may operate in accordance withmultiple wireless communication standards and protocols, such as GPRS,UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA,Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR protocols, Bluetooth protocols, USB protocols,and/or any other wireless protocol.

The control device 400 may also include volatile storage or memoryand/or non-volatile storage or memory, which can be embedded and/or maybe removable. For example, the non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks,CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, and/or the like. Thevolatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDRSDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cachememory, register memory, and/or the like. The volatile and non-volatilestorage or memory can store data, applications, programs, programmodules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code,interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the liketo implement the functions of the control device 400.

Moreover, the control device 400 may additionally comprise a userinterface 401 comprising one or more levers, joy-sticks, directionalpads, buttons, switches, and/or the like. In various embodiments, theuser interface 401 comprises a touch-screen display (e.g., a capacitivetouch-sensitive screen). In various embodiments, the user interface 401is configured to receive user input indicative of a desired action forthe UAV 100. For example, the user interface 401 may be configured toreceive input regarding a desired direction of movement for the UAV 100(e.g., pitch, yaw, and/or roll) such that the user of the UAV 100 maydirect the UAV to a desired location via the control device 400.Moreover, the user interface 401 may additionally be configured toreceive user input regarding desired actions of the one or moreaccessories 150 (e.g., camera, light source, sight, and/or the like),and/or the equipment engagement mechanism 120. For example, the userinterface 401 is configured to receive user input regarding a desiredmovement of the equipment engagement mechanism 120 between a closedconfiguration and an open configuration.

Moreover, in various embodiments the user interface 401 may comprise oneor more graphical displays configured to graphically display datareceived from the UAV 100. For example, output data from a video cameraattached to the UAV 100 as an accessory 150 may be transmitted from theon-board controller 110 to the control device 400 and displayed via agraphical display.

Moreover, in various embodiments, the control device 400 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive signals from one or more wirelessdevices (e.g., cellular telephones) via one or more wirelesscommunication protocols. For example, the control device 400 may beconfigured to transmit signals received from the on-board controller110, such as the location of the UAV 100, and/or signals received fromone or more accessories 150 to a wireless device. Moreover, in variousembodiments the control device 400 may be configured to receivedirection signals from one or more wireless devices, and relay thedirectional signals to the on-board controller 110 to control the UAV100.

Exemplary Method of Providing Equipment to a Person in Distress

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating lifesaving equipment(e.g., a float 200) before and after release from the UAV. In referencenow to FIG. 1, after determining that a person is in distress (e.g., ina deep water hazard), the method may begin by activating the UAV 100 andthe control device 400. In embodiments having a collapsible line controldevice 300, the line guide 301 may be extended into the extendedconfiguration.

The UAV 100 having the lifesaving equipment (e.g., float 200) attachedthereto is directed to the person in distress. The UAV 100 is directedto the person in distress in response to signals received from thecontrol device 400, which may be generated based on user input to theuser interface 401 of the control device. Accordingly, a user of thesystem may provide steering input to the user interface 401 of thecontrol device 400, which in response transmits signals indicative ofthe user input to the UAV 100 (e.g., to the on-board controller 110).The UAV 100 may, in response to the receipt of the signals from thecontrol device 400, provide signals to the one or more lift mechanismsand/or steering mechanisms in order to direct the UAV 100 in a desireddirection.

Moreover, while the UAV 100 is receiving signals from the control device400, the UAV (e.g., on-board controller 110) may receive signals and/ordata from one or more accessories 150 secured to the UAV 100. Forexample, the on-board controller 110 may receive video data from a videocamera secured to the UAV 100. The UAV 100 may transmit the data and/orsignals received from the one or more accessories to the control device400 to be displayed via a graphical display. For example, video datareceived from the video camera is transmitted to the control device 400for display via a graphical display. Such displayed video data mayfacilitate guidance of the UAV 100 to a desired location by a user.

As the UAV 100 is moving away from the user and the line control device300, the control line 350 remains attached to the lifesaving equipment(e.g., float 200) and the line control device 350, and accordingly thelength of extended control line 350 increases as the UAV 100 moves awayfrom the user.

Once the UAV 100 is positioned at a desired position (e.g., proximatethe person in distress), the lifesaving equipment may be released fromthe UAV 100 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the lifesaving equipmentmay be released from the UAV 100 in response to a signal transmittedfrom the on-board controller 110 to the equipment engagement mechanism120 indicating that the equipment engagement feature should move to theopen configuration, thereby releasing the lifesaving equipment.Furthermore, the on-board controller 110 may provide the signal to theequipment engagement mechanism 120 in response to the receipt of acorresponding signal received from the control device 400. Accordingly,the control device 400 may receive user input indicating that thelifesaving equipment should be released. In response, the control device400 generates a corresponding signal, and transmits the signal to theUAV 100 (e.g., on-board controller 110). The on-board controller 110 maythen generate and transmit a signal to the equipment engagementmechanism 120 to release the lifesaving equipment.

For example, once a user of the system pilots the UAV 100 to a positionproximate the person in distress, the user may provide an input to thecontrol device 400 to release a float 200 to the person in distress. Inresponse, the UAV 100 may release the float 200 such that the person indistress may grasp the float 200.

After the lifesaving equipment is provided to the person in distress,and the person grasps the lifesaving equipment, the control line 350 maybe recalled (e.g., via the take-up reel 310), thereby pulling thedistressed person toward the system user. For example, if the useroperating the system is located at a safe location, such as on dry landadjacent a water hazard, the person in distress is pulled toward thesafe area.

By providing lifesaving equipment to a person in distress utilizing aUAV, no additional rescuers must be placed at risk of harm whileperforming a rescue operation of the distressed person. Moreover, thelifesaving equipment may be provided to the person in distress with ahigh level of precision, because the equipment is released while the UAVis proximate the person in distress. Thus, in contrast to existingsystems in which a float may be thrown to a person in distress from agreat distance, the use of a UAV to provide the lifesaving equipment toa person in distress may minimize the effect of environmental forcessuch as wind, precipitation, and/or the like, which may operate asobstacles to providing lifesaving equipment to a person in distress. Asyet another benefit, lifesaving equipment may be provided to distressedpersons located a great distance away from rescuers. Thus, in instancesin which a potential rescuer may become exhausted before reaching theperson in distress, or in instances in which a float cannot be thrown tothe person in distress, the UAV may provide the lifesaving equipment tothe person in distress without placing additional persons in danger.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

For example, each of the equipment engagement mechanism 120 and/or oneor more accessories 150 may individually comprise one or more antennae,transmitters, and/or receivers similar to those described above inreference to the on-board controller 110 of the UAV 100 configured towirelessly communicate directly with the control device 400. In suchconfigurations, the wireless communication link established between thecontrol device 400 and the equipment engagement mechanism 120 and/or theone or more accessories 150 may operate on a different frequency thanthe wireless communication link between the control device 400 and theon-board controller 110 such that the communication between the on-boardcontroller 110 and the control device 400 may be maintainedsimultaneously with the communication between the equipment engagementmechanism 120 and/or the one or more accessories 150 and the controldevice 400.

Moreover, in various embodiments, the safety device may comprise any ofa variety of other devices. Although a float 200 is described herein inthe example method of use, other safety devices, such as food stuffs,rope, and/or the like may be provided to a distressed individual via theUAV 100. Accordingly, the described UAV 100 and method of using the samemay be utilized in land-based rescue operations in addition to thedescribed water-based rescue operations. For example, a rope may beprovided to a distressed individual trapped in quick-sand, and/or foodstuffs may be provided to a person trapped in a difficult to accesslocation (e.g., the top of a tower or building, a remote island, and/orthe like).

That which is claimed:
 1. A system for providing lifesaving equipment toa person in distress, the system comprising: an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) in wireless communication with a control device and comprising anequipment engagement mechanism configured to releasably secure thelifesaving equipment to the UAV; wherein the equipment engagementmechanism is operable between a closed configuration in which thelifesaving equipment is secured to the UAV and an open configuration inwhich the lifesaving equipment is released from the UAV; the controldevice configured to: generate one or more directional signals inresponse to user input indicating a desired direction for the UAV,wherein the directional signals are indicative of a desired direction oftravel for the UAV; generate a release signal in response to user inputindicating a request to release the lifesaving equipment from the UAV;and transmit the one or more directional signals and the release signalto the UAV; and wherein the UAV is configured to, in response to receiptof the directional signals, move in the desired direction of travel and,in response to receipt of the release signal, move the equipmentengagement mechanism into the open configuration to release thelifesaving equipment.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the lifesavingequipment comprises a float.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein theequipment engagement mechanism comprises an electronically actuatedlatch operable between the closed configuration and the openconfiguration.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lifesavingequipment comprises a mating engagement feature configured to interactwith the electronically actuated latch when in the closed configurationto releasably secure the lifesaving equipment to the UAV.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the lifesaving equipment is secured to a controlline configured to pull the lifesaving equipment in a direction ofsafety.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control line is secured toa take-up reel configured to rotate and thereby pull the control linesuch that the control line is wound onto the take-up reel.
 7. The systemof claim 6, further comprising a line control device comprising: anelongated line guide having a first end and a second end, comprising atleast one guide feature proximate the first end for directing a lengthof the control line away from the take-up reel and toward the first end;and wherein the take-up reel is secured to the line control deviceproximate the second end of the elongated line guide.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the elongated line guide is collapsible.
 9. The systemof claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a handheld devicecomprising: one or more processors configured to: receive user inputindicative of the desired direction of travel; receive user inputindicating the lifesaving device should be released; generate, based atleast in part on the user input indicative of the desired direction oftravel, the one or more directional signals; generate, based at least inpart on the user input indicating the lifesaving device should bereleased, the release signal; and transmit the one or more directionalsignals and the release signal to the UAV.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein: the UAV additionally comprises a camera configured to generatevideo data; and the UAV is additionally configured to transmit the videodata to the control device; wherein the control device additionallycomprises a graphical display, and the one or more processors areadditionally configured to display, via the graphical display, the videodata generated by the camera.
 11. A method for providing lifesavingequipment to a person in distress, the method comprising steps for:piloting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the person in distress bycausing data indicative of a desired direction of travel to bewirelessly transmitted from a control device to the UAV, wherein the UAVcomprises an equipment engagement mechanism configured to releasablysecure the lifesaving equipment to the UAV and the equipment engagementmechanism is operable between a closed configuration in which thelifesaving equipment is secured to the UAV and an open configuration inwhich the lifesaving equipment is released from the UAV; causingtransmission, from the control device to the UAV, of a release signalindicating the lifesaving equipment should be released, such that theUAV moves the equipment engagement mechanism into the open configurationto release the lifesaving equipment; and after the lifesaving device isreleased from the UAV, causing a length of control line secured to thelifesaving device to be recalled in a direction of safety, therebypulling the lifesaving device in a direction of safety.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the lifesaving device comprises a float.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the equipment engagement mechanism comprisesan electronically actuated latch operable between the closedconfiguration and the open configuration, and wherein said step ofcausing transmission of the release signal comprises causingtransmission of a signal configured to cause the electronically actuatedlatch to move to the open configuration.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein causing the length of control line to be recalled in a directionof safety comprises causing the length of control line to be wound ontoa take-up reel.